Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-30
The Attetmpt % XIII John Shea.
TRIAL OF ToNEY WELLS IN THE CRIMINAL OouH

TRIAL OF ToNHY WELLS IN THE CRIMINAL COURT
TO-DAY.
In the Criminal Court, Judge Montgomery, the
case OF Anthony Wells, alias Toney Wells, colored.
indicted with Albert Grader and = Graham,
who were not arrested for an assault and battery
with intent to kill John Shea, April 80 last, was
tried, Mr.. T. C. Taylor for the defendant.
The first witness was Annie However, who
testified that she lived at 337 Maryland avenue;
that John Shea had been annoying him about the
rent and he told the other men to 60 to Shea's and
returned and said they did not want to have any
! thing to 90 with 1t. Wells then took out q knife
and gave it to one of the men, telling them to go
him to death. They went back, followed by Wells
and there was . night in the house, and witness
saw Mr. Shea when he fell out on the pavement
Annie Payne, colored. testified that she lived at
Fannie Thornton's house; saw Wells when Fannie
came 10 MIN and told him to go and put him out.
went up there and came back, when Wells pro.
snea out or XIII him he would xiii them riley
tnen went and the fight occurred, in which one OF
Frances Prochena testified that she saw Wells
and the others, and heard Wells tell one Of them
to so back to Fanny Thorntons house and kill the
Otto Stoddard testified that he saw none of the
difncuty, but whistled for the police, when some
one called him.
TESTIMONY OF SHEA AND HIS DAUGHTER.
he had two men working on the roof of 343 and
went into the house. and he had words with
Fanny Thornton about the rent, and he slapped
her In the mouth. She went out and the three
men came In and attacked him, one Of them CIV
Ing three cuts In the side but he did not know 1T
ut the time. Could not tell which OF the three
cut him. Witness did not see or hear Wells do
nything.
Marion Shea testified that Fanny Thornton
came TO the door and asked that she come to her
house and get witness father away or he would
get hurt. Witness then did not 60 but afterward
went to the house, saw three men In the front
had knife. Witness spoke to them, and then
her father came out and they all made for him.
One OF them kicked at him, and witness caught
kick. Witness pushed her father and he fell, but
got up and ran TO his house. Wells had the knife,
and, with the others, pursued him, but her sister
Lizzie picked up pistol and threatened to shoot
him II he advanced step. He then said that
they only wanted to show the knife.
Philip Christian testified that a young man came
In the store and asked Wells tor knife.
WELLS TRsT1FIEs IN HIS OWN DEFENSE.
Wells took the stand and testified that he was
with Grader and others drinking; that Grader
went out with Fanny Thornton, and came back
and asked for knife and he gave it to him. Wit
ness afterward heard the fussing In Fanny Thorn
tons house, but took no part in 1t. Saw Grader
with the knife holding his hand to his face saying
that the of a-had cut him, and witness
took the knife from him and went with IL tOSheaS
where they would take no apology from him.
On cross-examination witness said he went to
the house OF Fanny Thornton; saw the two other
men who were talking; Miss Snea came in and
asked If they were going to kill her father, and Mr.
Shea came out. One OF them kicked at Shea, who
ran down the steps. Witness went out behind
them. Shea to his house and the others walked
behind him. Witness then got the knife and he
went to the store and offered an apology.
Observation-Disclosures denied that he had made
such threats as had been testified to, and did not
know that Shea had been cut until afterward.